Deflector for cupolas



1951 J. N. RICHARDSON DEFLECTOR FOR CUPOLAS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19, 1949 INVENTOR. 8% 7/ "1 Afro/925x345.

Oct. 30, 1951 Y c pso 2 ,573,492

DEFLECTOR FOR CUPOLAS Filed May 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

a a/M,

J. N. RICHARDSON DEFLECTOR FOR CUPOLAS Oct. 30, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19, 1949 Patented Oct. 30, g 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1' 257E492 1 DEFLECTOR FOR CU'POLAS John Richardson, Port Washington, Wis., assignor to Modern Equipment Company, Port Washington, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application May 19, 1949, Serial No. 94,061

This invention relates to improvements in defiectors for cupolas.

In foundries, charging buckets having vertically movable, cone-shaped bottoms, are commonly utilized for the purpose of delivering charges of pig iron, coke and lime into a cupola. These buckets are customarily moved into the door or receiving opening of the cupola by means of a skip carriage or movable beam, there being mechanism in connection with each type of transporting device for moving the bucket into discharge position, and for then discharging the contents by mechanically lowering .the coneshaped bottom.

Where the conventionaL. large cone-type of bucket is used, all of the charge must falloutwardly of the periphery of the bucket, with the result that the charge is thrown against the sides of the cupola, from which it bounces back toward the center.

In cupolas Where, as a result of the above described action, theiron and coke of. the charge are solidly packed in the center, the air entering the bottom of the cupola passes upwardly through the more loosely packed portions adjacent the side wall. This'is because the rising air follows the path of. least resistance. Poor combustion at the center of the cupola, and chilling of, the fall- 'ing'slagfollows; Such. chilling of the slag, eventually blocks up the tuyeres, and may, aftera sufiicient time,.entirely stop the melting operation. It istherefore important that the charge 'be deposited in the cupola in a manner so that the center of the charge in the cupola is less dense thanthe surrounding, portions of the charge, thereby causing the air flowing upwardly from the tuyeres adjacent ,the wall of the 7 Claims. (Cl. 214-18) on the top. Thus, when the bucket is. tilted roi- -cupola'to. flow toward the ,centerthereof rather walls of the cupola in order that the charge have sufficient. room to pass downwardly around the large-bottom cones Thus, bucketshaving cone .bottoms ,are particularly undesirable when used with cupolas of small diameter. As a result, it

has heretofore been proposed to use a tiltable bucket with small cupolas for dumping the charge ;into the cupola.

- 2. Tiltable buckets are. objectionablefj'because *when theyJare. loaded, the coke is usually in a .layer on the. bottom, and .the pig iron is in a layer discharge into the cupola, the v top layer of ma: terial is all deposited on the far side and the bottom layer of .coke is deposited on the near side. This obviously negatives eflicient cupola operation.

, My Patent No. 2,333,042 discloses an improved type of bucket which hasa novel hinged bottom construction and which is particularly Well adapted for use in smallcupolas. The above-mentioned constructiondoes not have the objectionable features inherent 'in the tiltable type buckets. However, the condition of density of the charge in the center of acupola which has been charged with a. bucket of the type shown in my prior Patent No-2,333,042, does not result in as uniform air distribution throughout asmight be desired. J

It is therefore a general object of my invention to provide a deflector for use in a cupola which will distribute the chargedropped. into said cupola from a charging bucket in amanner such that the densityof. the portion. of charge inthe center of the cupolais' less than that .of the portions adjacent the wall of the cupola. Another objectof the invention is to provide a deflector which has a substantially conical upper surface, which is positioned centrally of the cupola,and which is of a size to provide adequate room between it and the cupola side wall through which the falling charge can pass. h.

A further object of the invention is to provide a deflector of the class described which is adapt: ed to be permanently mounted within a cupola.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a deflector of the. class described which is mount.- ed on a rotatable horizontal beam member to permit rotation..of-said..defiector and beam approximately after each charging operation and thereby'remove any portion of the ,charge which may have come to restthereon during the charging operation...-

A further object of the invention is to provide a deflector asembly wherein the deflector and the supporting beam therefor are cooled byfluid circulated therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a deflector of the class described which may be supported by a beam, the. latter extending diametrically across thehcupolaand being supported either at both ends or.on a cantilever type beam I extending radially into the cupola from one.- side only.

A further object of,=-the invention is to provide a deflector of the. class described which is strong l; and l bers reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the main form of the invention showing the device mounted in a cupola, parts of the cupola and of the deflector assembly being broken away and shown in section;

' Fig, 2 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken approximately along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end viewtakenapproximatelyalongstheline 3.-3 of l; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing a modified form of the invention, parts being broken away for clarity. 7

Referring to Fig. l of the drawing, the numeral I!) indicates a cupola having a steel shell H and having a lining of refractory material 12. The cupola I is formed with a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed apertures l3 and 14 therethrough. The apertures are spaced below the charging position of the cupola charging bucket (not shown) and are spaced above the bed the cupola.

Mounted on suitable supports adjacent the apertures 3 and I4 respectively are bearing meml and 5 respectively. Portions of the bearings 15 and I26 may project into the apertures 3 and 4 as shown. Rotatably supported at each end in the bearings 15 andlfi .is a heammember 7| which may be formed of three sections, i. e.,an intermediate section 18, a journal 19 at one end, and 'a journal 2|] at the opposite end. The journals l9 and :20 respectively, are mounted in bearings 15 and I6, and each extendsoutwardly from the bearing in which it is mounted.

Formed as an integral part of positioned midway of the length of the section 18 of the beam I! is a deflector 2| having an upper conical surface 22 and having .a lower frusto-conieal surface 23 (see Fig. 4). The deflector 2| is formed with a pair of frusto-conical chambers .24 and 25 which are separated by a ba'fiie .25. V The intermediate section of the beam 1] is formed of a relatively narrow box-sectionhaving a :bazfiie 21 running longitudinally thereof to separate .it into an upper chamber 28 and a lower chamber 29 '(see Figs. 1 and 3).

The journal l9 of the beam II is formed with a pair of longitudinal bores 30 and 3| which 1communicate respectively at their inner ends with the chambers 28 and 29 of the intermediate section l8. The bafiie 21 is formed, end and jacent the journal 20, with an aperture .32, and the deflector 2| is formed' with diametrically opposed apertures .33 and 34 which afford communication between the chamber 25 and the chambers 28 of the section H3. The deflector 2il' is also termed with diametrically opposed apertures :35 and 36 which afiord communication between the chamber 24 and t'l'u'e chambers 29 of the section 8. cuter ends 0f the bores 3|I-and4 in the journal I9 are adapted to receive conduits 31 and 38 respectively.

The conduit 3! leads to a suitable source of circulating coolant such as the city main 4? through a suitable shut-off valve 48. The conduit 38 may,- if desired, lead to a sewer.

Fixed to the journal 2|] outwardly of the bearing I6 is a collar 39 formed with an arm 40. A fluid operated ram 4| is mounted adjacent the outer end of the journal 20, as shown in Figs. 1,

2'and 3, with the cylinder 42 thereof pivotally mounted, as at 43, and with'the piston rod 44 thereof pivotally connected to the arm 4!), as at 45. The axis of the ram 4| and of the arm 40 are preferably normally disposed at a slight angle, asshown in-Fig. 3-. The ram 4| may be connected, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, to a suitable source of fluid pressure 49, such as a tank containing air under pressure, through conduits 58 and 5|, there being a three-way valve 52 which has a port 53 vented to the atmosphere.

In operation, cooling water flows in throu h the conduit 31' and the bore 30. into the, lower chamber 28 of the beam H. The water then flows, as indicated by the arrows, through the aperture 33, chamber 25, aperture 34, chamber 28, aperture 32, and thence into the upper chamber 29. The water flows back from chamber-29, through the aperture 36, chamber 24, aperture 35, chamber '29., bore 3|, and out through the C011? duit 3.8. Continued circulation of water throu h the beam l1 and deflector 2| cools said parts suif' ficiently so that they safely Withstand. the in tensely high temperatures generated Within the cupoladuring operation thereof.

A.s a charge is dropped from a charging bucket positioned above the deflector 2|, .2. portion of said charge impinges upon the conical upper surface 22 of said deflector and .is deflected radially outwardly as it descends Within the cupola. The deflector 2| has a cross-sectional area sumciently small to provide ample room around its periphery for the charge to pass freely between said deflector and the cupola side wall. As a result, the charge is distributed on the bed of the cupola with a central portion of decreased density and optimum conditions of cupola opera tion are obtained.

After each charging operation the ram 4| is actuated by fluid under pressure, and the piston rod 44 is extended. As this is done, the arm .41! (and hence also the beam 1-! and deflector 2|? is rotated approximately as indicated by the dot and dash lines of Fig. 3. This rotation causes any portions .of the charge which may have come to rest on top of the beam 11 or dehector 2| to drop off and to fall downwardly onto the cupola bed. The piston rod 44 is then re tracted to return the parts associated therewith to their normal positions.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the invention wherein a deflector 2| is supported by and is an integral partof a cantilever type beam H. The beam H is formed with a box-section portion l8" and with a round shaft portion 9'. The section I8 is similarto one half of the beam ll .of the main form of the invention, having a bailie 21' separating it into a lower chamber 28 and c an upper chamber 29".

The'shaft 19" is journalled in a pair of spaced bearings 15' and lfi positioned outwardly of the cupola, as shown, and is formed with a pair 01 longitudinal :bores 30' and 3| which communicate at their inner ends with the chambers 28' and 28' of the 'beami'll'. The deflector 21" is cation between the chamber 28 of the beam H.

and the chamber 25' of the deflector,.-and an aperture 35 provides communication between the,

tively, which are connected to a suitable source of circulatin cooling water: (not shown). A collar 39' formed with an arm 40 is fixed to the shaft I9 outwardly of the bearing I, and a ram 4| is connected thereto in the same manner as the ram 4| is connected to the arm 40in the main form.

The ram 4| is of the double acting type, and is-shown diagrammatically inFig. 5 connected to a gear pump 55 and to a reservoir or sump 55. A pair of three way valves 51 and 58 control the flow of fluid to the ram 4| from the pump 55, and from said ram back to the sump 55; It is apparent that when'the valves 51 and 58 are rotated about 45 in a clockwise direction from their shut-off position'shown, fluid will flow from the pump 55 through the valve 51 and into the lower end of the ram 4|. This causes said ram to extend upwardly, thereby rotating the beam l1, and also forcing fluid out of the upper end of the ram and back into the sump 56 through the valve 58. A reverse flow of fluid and reverse travel of the ram 4| is accomplished by rotating the valves 51 and 58 to positions about 45 counterclockwise from their shut-01f positions shown. This latter fluid flow returns the beam and the deflector 2| to their normal positions shown in Fig. 5.

The deflecting action of the modified form of the invention is substantially the same as that of the main form. In the modified form the coolant flows as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5. The modified form of the invention ofiers less obstruction to the downward travel of the dropping charge and, in addition, there is less surface therein which must be cooled by the coolant.

Both forms of the invention cause distribution of the charge over the cupola bed with a central portion of decreased density to thereby maintain the highest possible efliciency in the cupola, operation. The ability to tilt the deflector and its supporting beam to thereby dislodge any portions of the charge which may have come to rest thereon is of considerable importance. This feature solves a problem which can be very troublesome in certain instances, such as where the charge being dropped from the bucket contains scrap or the like, particularly where the shape of the scrap makes it susceptible of lodgment on the beam or on the deflector.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a charge deflector assembly adapted for use with a cupola, a beam adapted to extend transversely within said cupola and spaced above the bed thereof, and a deflector supported by said beam substantially on the vertical axis of said cupola, said deflector having an upper surface which slopes downwardly and outwardly from a centrally disposed apex, said beam and deflector being formed, with communicating chambers adapted to permit passage therethrough of a circulating fluid coolant, and means for introducing" a fluid coolant into said chambers through an end of. said beam. p

In a charge deflector assembly adapted for use with a cupola: a hollow beam adapted to have aportion thereof. extending transversely within said cupolaand spaced above the bed thereof; bearing means for supporting said beam for rotation on an axis extending longitudinally of said beam; a hollow deflector integral with said beam positioned substantially. on the vertical axis of said cupola generally horizontally extending partitions in said beam and deflector separating said beam and said deflector into upper and lower chambers, the upper beam chambers communicating with the upper deflector chamber and the lowerbeam chambers communicating with the lower deflector chamber, there being a communication between the beam upper and lower chambers at one end thereof; andcooling fluid inlet and return connections at the opposite end of said beam communicating with the chambers of said beam.

3. In a charge deflector assembly adapted for use.with' a cupola, a hollow beam adapted to have a portion thereof extending transversely within said cupola and spaced above the bed thereof; bearing means exteriorly of said cupola for supporting said beam for rotation on an axis extending longitudinally of said beam; a hollow deflector integral with said beam positioned substantially on the vertical axis of said cupola and separating said beam into two sections; generally horizontally extending partitions in said beam sections and in said deflector separating said beam sections and said deflector into upper and lower chambers, the upper beam chambers communicating with the upper deflector chamber and the lower beam chambers communicating with the lower deflector chamber, there being a communication between the beam upper and lower chambers at one end thereof; and cooling fluid inlet and return connections at the opposite end of said'beam communicating with the chambers of said beam.

4. In a charge deflector assembly adapted for use with a cupola, a hollow beam adapted to have a portion thereof extending transversely within said cupola and spaced above the bed thereof; bearing means for supporting said beam at one end for rotation on an axis extending longitudinally of said beam; a hollow deflector integral with the inner end of said beam positioned substantially on the vertical axis of said cupola; generally horizontally extending partitions in said beam and deflector separating said beam and said deflector into upper and lower chambers, the upper beam chamber communieating with the upper deflector chamber and the lower beam chamber communicating with the lower deflector chamber, there being a communication between the deflector upper and lower chambers; and cooling fluid inlet and return connections at the outer end of said beam communicating with the chambers of said beam.

5. In a charge deflector assembly adapted for use with a cupola: a beam adapted to extend transversely within said cupola and spaced above the bed thereof; a deflector supported by said beam, said beam and deflector being formed with communicating chambers adapted to permit passage therethrough of a circulating fluid coolant;

7; bearing means in which the ends of said beam 1- ane notatably mounted;- and means adjacenizon (afi ssaid: bearings for introducing a fluid coolant: into said chambers-through an end ofi said; beam; 6; In a charge deflector assembly: adaptedl for use with a cupola: a beam adaptedito extend transversely within said cupola and spaced: above thebed thereof; bearing means for supponting saidl beam fOrrotation on anaxis longitudinally on said. beam; deflection-sun ported by said beam, said beam and defiieefifir being formedwith communicating chambers adapted to permit, passage of a fluid coolant: theretm'ough; one end; ofsaid -beam; havinghfiuidl coolant. inlet and return connections; communilw eating with the chambers of said beam.

7!. In a charge deflector assemblwadaiptednfon use with a cupola: a beam adapted; to. haves.- portion thereof 7 extending tigansyensehr within; said cupola and spaced; above the beditheneofih. beaxmg. means exteriorly of cupolalimwhicm one.- end of said beami is jomcnaL-led forsnotatinni on; an axis extending longitudmallmofi beam;-

ardeflector' supported. by said. beam, said'sbeam v amt deflector: being.- 'fogmed; with. a first; setof: communicating chambers adapted to penmitrpas sage; of- ,a cooling; fiuidsins one direction :therethrough, and said beam and defiectonalsmbemgi Formed with a secondsetaofi: communicatinat chambers-adapted: to permit return flow 01 0091-; ing there/through; there being communiba tion' between the first set of chambers and the second' set of chambers; and cooling fluidinlet andiretumconnections. in: one enct of said bealm communicating nespeetively with. said first. and? second sets: 01 chambers v JOHNYN; RICHARDSON;

mmsmmciisicimn f V The; following references are of record in-the le. ft pa en 7 V UNITE ESTATES PASILENTS Numben" Nam Date 326,182: Weimen eti'az1s-,. .SDt. 15 18.85: 531,282 Solvay Dee; 13;,18Bk1i 69693:?!) Daugherty 2 Ap1:.- 1, I902 12,172,889; Bieetham 3.2". Aug. 12,;193Q1' 2,198,527 Simmer "n Ann. 23;, 11941),

' FOREIGN PATENTS Number; Country- Date I 20 5; Ggeatfiritain F ;of 189.1% 303,337 ciermany-u nu u Jan; 15,, 1:91:81

611 1 15, Germany Mar. 22; 1935? 

